Donald Trump said he was “very disappointed” Sir Keir Starmer initially blocked the US from using British military bases to target Iran. The US President claimed the Prime Minister took “far too long” to change his mind about the use of the UK-US Diego Garcia base. Sir Keir announced late on Sunday that US forces would be allowed to operate from British bases against Iran, but only in a limited role targeting missile sites.

Mr Trump told the Daily Telegraph: “That’s probably never happened between our countries before. It sounds like he was worried about the legality. But no, we were very disappointed in Keir.” Referring to Sir Keir’s change of position, he added: “It is useful. It took far too much time. Far too much time.”

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth appeared to also hit out at the UK as he delivered a speech today at the Pentagon. Providing a brief on the war in Iran, he praised Israel as a “capable” partner. He then said: “As we have said since the beginning, capable partners are good partners. “Unlike so many of our traditional allies who wring their hands and clutch their pearls, hemming and hawing, about the use of force.”

But the Prime Minister this afternoon insisted his decision not to get involved in the initial strikes on Iran was in Britain’s national interest.

Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister said: “That decision was deliberate. We believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon, and ceases its destabilising activity across the region. That has been the long-standing position of successive British governments.

“President Trump has expressed his disagreement with our decision not to get involved in the initial strikes, but it is my duty to judge what is in Britain’s national interest. That is what I’ve done, and I stand by it.”

However, he added that Iran’s retaliation to the attacks had threatened British people and the country’s interests. He said Iran had launched hundreds of missiles and thousands of drones at countries which did not take part in the attack.

The RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, was hit by a one-way drone attack overnight, prompting the evacuation of Brits.

Sir Keir said: “But, it is clear that Iran’s outrageous response has become a threat to our people, our interests, and our allies and it cannot be ignored.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a close ally of Mr Trump, has also hit out at the Prime Minister’s response.

He told a press conference this morning: “I do believe the American president and the Israelis are right in what they are doing.

“I find the actions of our Prime Minister – or the inactions, perhaps I should say, of our Prime Minister – frankly pathetic.”

The Tories said it was “no surprise that our closest and most important ally is so disappointed”.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel MP said: “The Labour Government’s response to the crisis in Iran has been shameful.

“We should have been supporting our allies, not making it harder for them. Even now Starmer is still trying to sit on the fence, which is a complete failure of leadership.

“This is another reminder that Starmer’s Chagos Surrender is not in our national interest. When I was in Washington last week, everyone I spoke to was critical of the deal. It is undermining the Special Relationship and should be scrapped.”

Sir Keir gave the green light to allow US forces to operate from British bases following a day of conversations with regional leaders, during which it is understood they asked the UK to do more to protect them from Iranian missiles.

The Prime Minister insisted the decision was fully in line with international law, and the Government has published a summary of its legal position setting out that it is acting in “collective self-defence”.